London has been battered by 50mph winds that have felled trees and caused travel chaos. Powerful gusts swept across the capital as the Met Office issued a yellow "be aware" weather alert for most of the country.

A gay couple who claim an IVF blunder led them to have babies from different racial backgrounds said today that they loved their children regardless.

The pair were said to have been left “devastated” after the alleged mix-up at the London Women’s Clinic in Harley Street.

It is believed that sperm from the wrong donor was used, resulting in their second child being a different race from the other one.

In a statement, they said: “We love our children very much, and whilst the current situation may have implications for us, that in no way detracts from our love of our children and contentment with them in our lives, whatever their race.’

Caron Heyes, a solicitor at Blake Lapthorn which is representing the couple, refused to confirm if the parents were in a lesbian relationship or men who used a surrogate to carry their child.

She said: ‘The damage to the [younger] child in the future, to both the siblings and the family unit could be catastrophic.’

The incident was reported to fertility watchdog the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority in January and the result of its investigation will be made public next month.

A London Women’s Clinic spokesman said it was unable to provide a specific comment on the claims. It said a review had confirmed that its sperm storage arrangements were suitable.